Extracurricular Activities

Newcomer,
Your questions are very good ones, and you most probably will get different answers, all depending on where your son is being recruited and where he is headed.

My son's desired major conflicted with the baseball program. He was discouraged from proceeding with a degree in engineering, not by the coach but by his athletic advisor. The expectations of time spent on the field, 5 games a week, might have meant too much of a struggle in the classroom. If some programs are very generous with their scholarship money, they usually will expect you to do very well on and off the field. He did opt for an easier major, with a more difficult minor, but that was his choice. As far as time for extracurricular activities, son barely has enough time between baseball, workout and classes to think of anything much else to do besides sleep, eat and catch a movie once in awhile. I don't think many players really realize what it's all about until they get there.

As far as your second inquiry, I think alot of it depends more on the program and the future expectations for the player beyond college. No coach likes to give a scholarship that could be jeopardized by injury in another sport.
JMO

Nothing wrong with a game of Horse at my sons school but I think the coach feels that if you need a workout away from baseball they have a strength coach you can hang out with. I don't think anything is in writing, but they've been told about potential issues with extracurricular activities.

I agree with TPM as I usually do! Understand too that TPM’s son was (is) a high profile player and while the coach might “discourage” him from doing something, the conversation might be a little more direct with a lesser player. No two programs are the same and no two players are the same so I think it would be appropriate to ask the coach if you or your son feels as if something could be a conflict. I think it’s best to disclose those things on the front end. College baseball is a business and the “needs” of the coach and the team are primary --- therefore the needs and the desires of the player become secondary. Most coaches are not tolerant of “extra curricular” activities.
Fungo

I agree with Fungo as I ususally do...lol. However, I think at son's school it is pretty much the same for everyone high profile or not, coach wants everyone to have a fair chance to succeed and you can't when you are injured.

Surprisingly enough, last day of official practice he allows them to play football, that's about it.

A side question here...
Do any baseball players ever major in Engineering (besides U of Miss./Rolla, where they're all engineers)?

We've heard many conflicting pieces of advice from...."No one can do Engineering and play baseball," to "It can be done."
When my son, who will be studying Civil Eng., registered at orientation last week, his last step was to meet with the Academic Coach. He looked at my son's fall schedule (which is heavier than spring will be, for baseball reasons) and said, "This is the toughest schedule I've ever seen for a baseball player." I became worried, but my son is confident that all is well.

My son is a strong student, but I'm worried he's taking on too much. Anyone ever play baseball and study Engineering successfully?

My son plays with engineering students. Ardoin (10th rounder) got 4 years in before turning pro last year. Templet turned pro in 2003 after 3 years in the engineering program, played pro ball for two years and just retired and is back to finish.

Academic advisors are there to help you focus on academics. He probably tell all kids the same thing. Jr. takes 15 or 18 hours in the fall. If they can do it in Louisiana sure they can in Arkansas.